Chinese tourists to Switzerland down 14.3% YoY in H1 2016

The number of Chinese tourists to Switzerland went down by 14.3% YoY in the first half of 2016 according to Swiss Federal Statistical Office.

The number of Chinese tourists stayed overnight in Swiss hotels reached 1.4 million in 2015, an increase by 33%, becoming the fourth largest tourists origin country after Germany, the U.S., and UK.

However, 476 thousand Chinese tourists stayed overnight in Swiss hotels in the first half of 2016, down by 80 thousand (14.3%). Terrorist attacks and more complex Schengen visa application process are the primary factors leading to less Chinese tourists visits.